Pedro Pascal Characters one shots & short stories

Could Sure Use Your Company (Joel Miller)

Warning: swearing

Summary: As Joel attempts to settle into Jackson something completely unexpected happens; he meets you. Inspired by Pam Tillis' - In Between Dances.

************

"See ya finally decided to come out an socialize" Tommy greets Joel at the entrance to the Tipsy Bison with a hard pat on the back.

"Well, ya been buggin' me for the past two weeks, not like I had much a choice" Joel mutters under his breath as they make their way to the bar.

"Ya needed this, so stop complainin'..." Tommy scowls, standing behind the bar as he poured them both a drink.

"After what Ellie and ya went through... it's time to destress."

"We'll be fine" Joel grumbles against the rim of the whisky glass.

"Ellie's beginnin' to fall in with the lifestyle, but ya still about; 'waiting on the other shoe to drop'..." Tommy responds.

"Ya need to relax, Joel. Sit back, have a few rounds an enjoy the nice Friday evenin'."

Stepping away; Tommy left Joel to his own device, to tend to the other patrons at the bar. The bar was surprisingly busy; couples slow dancing in the centre of the room to the sounds of a fiddle being flawlessly played by an older gentle sat on a small stage against the sidewall.

Silently savoring his drink whilst watching Tommy work behind the bar, Joel's eyes flutter shut as the fiddler begins to play a familiar song. The sense of tranquility soon vanishes when a feminine voice begins singing the words that accompany it.

*

There's room at my table, why don't you pull up a seat?
The music's inviting but I'm staying off of my feet
The floor's getting crowded, but I don't wanna take part
I bet you can guess it's got something to do with my heart

Turning around as if hypnotized by the voice, Joel finds himself staring at what could only be described as a pure vision. The woman was beautiful, almost angel like. The entire scene felt like from a movie as Joel watched her through the crowd of dancing couples; eyes shut tightly as she poured her soul into the song.

*

I could sure use your company now
But don't be mistaking my smile
I'm only in between dances
Sitting it out for a while

The partners are chosen, look at them waltzing away
The tempo gets slower, closer and closer they sway

I've had my moments when I could get lost in the sound
But when the song ended the one in my arms let me down

Joel was entranced as he continued to watch her, he hadn't heard a voice as beautiful and soulful as hers in a long time. It made his fingers ich in yearning for his old guitar, for the opportunity to string the chords in synchronize with that perfect voice. Not only that, but to be able to get to know the person attached to the voice as well.

Joel's breath catches in his throat suddenly when the most magically moment happens then; her eyes gently flutter open and make direct contact with his own, a soft smile crossing her lips as she continues.
*

Have you been in my shoes?
I search your eyes for signs
Will you remain, remember my name
After closing time

I'm only in between dances
Sitting it out for a while...

The song ends as everyone stops to give cheer as she giggles while bowing.

"See ya taken a liking to our residential songstress..." Tommy remarks, snapping Joel from his daze.

"Huh? What?"

"Y/N..." Tommy answers with a head tilt.

"She's the music teacher. Likes to entertain 'em once every weekend, when she's not working behind the bar that is."

"Uh... got a nice voice" Joel mutters after clearing his voice.

"That she does" Tommy responds with a knowing smirk.

"Sure that ain't all ya noticed."

"Don't know what ya mean" Joel frowns, throwing back the rest of his drink in one gulp.

"Ya forget I'm ya brother. I know that look..."

"What look?" Joel scoffs, his facial expression turning anxious when you suddenly appear next to Tommy behind the bar.

"Great work as always, Songbird..." Tommy remarks, pulling you into his side for a hug.

"Thanks" you lightly slap his chest with a soft chuckle and that's when you notice the older man seated in front of you.

 "Hi..." you smile at the man that looked similar to Tommy.

Joel, at lost for words; stared open-mouthed at you until Tommy saves him.

"This is my brother, Joel. Joel, this is Y/N..."

"Pleased to meet you" you reach out a hand in greeting.

Snapping himself out of his stupider; Joel hastily grips your hand, making an even stupider move.

"Please to me you too... Names, Joels."

"I know..." you smirk in response as Tommy softly snickers beside you.

Joel shuts his eyes, letting out a pained groan, "he said that already."

"Yup" you place the other hand over one the one that was holding yours, gently patting it.

"Don't worry about it. Ya good."

Slowly cracking his eyes open, Joel was met with most genuine smile he had received in ages.

"Say, Joel was just busy complimenting ya singing before this..." Tommy interrupts the moment then.

"Thank you" you blush in response.

"Ol' Charlie's good on the fiddle but it could really have used the backup of a base guitar."

"Joel plays base!" Tommy eagerly volunteers.

"Seriously...?!" you stare at Joel in fascination.

"Ahem... used to play, ya mean" Joel splutters out, silently staring daggers at Tommy.

"That's too bad..." your shoulders sadly drop.

"Would've been a great if you could demonstrate a bit for the kids. Charlie's already shown 'em how the fiddle works, and I teach them on the piano, just never been good with the guitar."

Feeling like an asshole for making your smile disappear, Joel attempts to soothe you.

"Ain't got my guitar no more, that why."

Your eyes suddenly spark up then, "so, you're saying; if you had one you would?"

Joel breaks out in a nervous sweat as he looked deep into your hopeful eyes. Not wanting to see the sad look of disappointment in them again; he caves.

"I might."

"Great! I'll see if I can get one!" you perk up in excitement.

"Let me get ya another drink" you offer, spinning around to grab the whisky.

What you didn't see during that moment; was Tommy bouncing his eyebrows suggestively at his brother, while Joel silently flipped him the bird in response.

"Great..." Joel mutters out, rubbing at his brow with a heavy sigh.

"Here ya go..." you place the drink in front of Joel with a broad smile.

"Thanks" he flashes you a shy dimpled smile in response. Lifting the glass to his lips, Joel's eyes fall onto your ass when you walk away to tend to someone else.

"Lord... help me..." he mutters into the glass, knocking it back in one go.